Listened to the Placebo. Found it a bit overwrought and clunky in a couple of places but overall liked it and will listen again so a hit.
One review I read said it’s a departure from their usual style, be interesting to know what long time fans of the group think and what of their earlier stuff they’d recommend
I'm probably not enough of a fan to recommend that, but I'll comment anyway, since you are giving it a go.
I wouldn't say it is a departure myself, just more polished and produced. But then, the age they are and how long they've been going, a 'raw' sound wouldn't really work imo.
They have always been a bit of a 'so close yet so far' band to me. Some really good stuff, and I've quite happily listened to a bulk of their releases. But when it comes to real greatness, always felt like they were on the verge of something special but never quite nailed it. For me.
They probably follow a similar ark to most bands from the 90s that are still going. Young unchained rough-diamond debut, then a hit follow-up with a bit more input from someone who knows what they are doing. Then at some point years of repeat releases, to finally a 'return to what it is all about' and the glory days of unchained youth. I also find with a lot of those, people that didnt like the earlier work at the time, may have missed the boat, just can't get into it the way those with a bit of nostalgia can.
The first two albums are worth a listen. The debut I thought was really good at the time, and it was something new and bold. But now after subsequent albums feels almost amateurish. Eventhough the writing on it is really good. Part of me wishes they would re-perform/reissue it, slightly more mature sounding, it would actually be a really good album. Incidentally, arguably my favourite album of all of last year was a re-issue of a 1998 album (Clarity), with a touch more polish and a grown-up voice I found what was always a good album great. The other part of me thinks Placebo's debut shouldn't be refined, it has a sound to it, the guitars and drums in parts have similar qualities to Blackened Sky which could easily be my favourite ever album, if I were to allow any one album to claim that title. Which I don't.
Their second album is far more successful, and acclaimed. Partly because David Bowie was claimed to have loved discovering them and promoted them, I believe (could be wrong) had a hand in producing it. Definately did an EP with a single off the album with them. It is much more accessible and easier to like.
The rest I wasnt that interested in for a while, probably till Loud Like Love, which was a bit of an 'absence makes fonder' and I quite enjoyed it. Similar to this new one though, well produced but possibly quite mainstream. Can't really point to anything beyond that. Happy to hear your take on it if you get round to giving them a go.
